What's the meanest thing a patient has said to you?

[fangirl]

Just curious, what's the meanest, rudest, nastiest thing a patient has said to you? Tonight I had someone tell me they wished I would die and go straight to he!! Then they said they hoped it rained everywhere I went. They also told someone they were a son of a b. What's your best line?

[No Stars In My Eyes]

A patient's family member told me I should be a kindergarten teacher instead of an RN. They were very difficult to deal with and I had to try and often smooth over family dynamics. I don't know why it bothered me so much but it did.

If they told you you should be a kindergarten teacher, maybe it was because THEY were being infantile/childish and having a difficult time acting and dealing with things like grown-ups. Maybe THEY didn't know what they were saying, but it sounds like the subtext of that comment was that they were the problem.

[Sabr, BSN, RN]

I dont even remeber lol

[AlphaM]

I don't remember because I believe when patients talk to me they are talking to what I represent to then, a nurse, a healthcare provider, an annoying intrusive person, etc. whatever they believe I am. Therefore they are not really talking to ME, because I do not take things personally, because at the end of the day when I'm at work I am a nurse, I am ME around my family and friends ONLY.

[Knightnurse412]

I had a patient tell me I was what was wrong with young people because I wouldn't call the doctor for a third time in 3 hours about her bowel movements (which she was having) and it was change of shift so I said If the night nurse wants to call that's on her...the next day she called me evil...admittedly I probably wasn't myself as I found out I was newly pregnant and I had been a part of my first code blue earlier that day...

[Stevensontwins]

One night in AICU, Pt. said to me" You know you're the FIRST DEMON in HELL!!! Complete with stink eye. She had been using profanity towards every staff member she came in contact with on that day. All I could think was, "Finally...someone who agrees with my ex-husband!" LOL!

[EuropaRN]

One mid 50s woman after a poly pharm od in 4 points called me literally any word she could come up with. She called me a d**k slayer, which I found pretty impressive actually.

The one well meaning older lady told me my biological clock was ticking after I told her my age and that I didn't have a family. Didn't offend me, but thank you, stranger, for your concern.

The things that really offend me are doubt in my integrity or abilites. However, I'm realizing that taking offense to those issues is insecurity on my part.

Love this thread!

[Karou]

I don't remember because I believe when patients talk to me they are talking to what I represent to then, a nurse, a healthcare provider, an annoying intrusive person, etc. whatever they believe I am. Therefore they are not really talking to ME, because I do not take things personally, because at the end of the day when I'm at work I am a nurse, I am ME around my family and friends ONLY.

I really like this! When I think about it, this statement can be true for me also.

[MEANNRS]

"You're the reason your father drinks" and "you look like you've been around" 😂😂 I love Alzheimer's patients

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Being the baby nurse at deliveries, I can say it's my job to make 100% of my patients cry, and I don't feel bad about it.

They (the babies) probably think it's mean but I do love a pink screaming baby, though I'll take a pink quiet one too.

[allegra78]

It doesnt matter how high end the hospital is.. tthese folks are there for a reason..that same reason that makes them the same as thousands go to hospitals... they are SICK!!! These people kill me with their attitudes..as if they can treat us anyway the want. If these pts had any idea what I was thinking most of the time..they' d be scared. Dont be nasty to me..im here to help you!!!!😡

[ixchel]

It doesnt matter how high end the hospital is.. tthese folks are there for a reason..that same reason that makes them the same as thousands go to hospitals... they are SICK!!! These people kill me with their attitudes..as if they can treat us anyway the want. If these pts had any idea what I was thinking most of the time..they' d be scared. Dont be nasty to me..im here to help you!!!!😡

Well count me on the scared couch with them.

Is this for real?

[Princess Bubblegum]

I've been a CNA for 7 years but have actually had the worst encounters with patients and their families while working as a unit secretary--most notably, one ended with the patient discharging directly to jail after he phoned in a bomb threat from his room.

At a different hospital, a patient's husband threatened to follow me home and murder me because "YOU built this ******* brand new hospital but YOU can't give me a ****** ******* cafeteria voucher." Vouchers weren't even something that existed at this facility. Guess who management sided with (and bought food for).